NFL Value Meter: Week 15 Rankings

Jeff Erickson is a co-founder of RotoWire.com and the only two-time winner of Baseball Writer of the Year from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. He roots for the Reds, Bengals, Red Wings, Pacers and Northwestern University (the real NU).

Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards.

1. Michael Vick PHI at NYG
Note: Took a lot of hits against the Cowboys last week but still plugged away.
2. Peyton Manning IND vs. JAC
3. Tom Brady NE vs. GB
Note: Snow? What snow?
4. Drew Brees NO at BAL
5. Philip Rivers SD vs. SF
6. Matt Schaub HOU at TEN
7. Jon Kitna DAL vs. WAS
8. Joe Flacco BAL vs. NO
11. *Carson Palmer CIN vs. CLE
Note: Palmer last week played as if he was secretly a double agent.
12. Matt Ryan ATL at SEA
13. Eli Manning NYG vs. PHI
Note: The Vikings' ineptitude on offense obscured that Manning had a pretty awful game.
15. *Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. NYJ
Note: Big Ben suffered a minor ankle injury against the Bengals last week that might impact his ability to scramble.
16. Kerry Collins TEN vs. HOU
9. Josh Freeman TB vs. DETUpdate: Modest downgrade merely because the Bucs don't throw that often, regardless of the matchup.
17. Jason Campbell OAK vs. DEN
Note: Campbell played through a stinger injury after briefly leaving against Jacksonville last week.
20. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF at MIA
21. Sam Bradford STL vs. KC
22. *Drew Stanton DET at TB
Note: The team won despite the QB's efforts, part I.
23. *Matt Hasselbeck SEA vs. ATL
Note: Hasselbeck has been really hurt by the complete dissolution of his receiving corps.
18. David Garrard JAC at INDUpdate: Limited in Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - THE JAGUARS ARE CONCERNED ENOUGH ABOUT GARRARD'S INJURY THAT THEY SIGNED A THIRD QB, THOUGH GARRARD PROBABLY WILL STILL START. ***
10. Jay Cutler CHI at MINUpdate: Downgrading because of the outdoor game, and the likelihood that this could be a ground-and-pound game.
24. *Chad Henne MIA vs. BUF
Note: The team won despite the QB's efforts, part II.
25. Mark Sanchez NYJ at PIT
29. *Matt Cassel KC at STL
Note: We're not certain yet whether Cassel will be able to return from his appendectomy this week. The alternatives in Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko are pretty grisly.Update: Cassel has been limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. The hunch here is he'll play, but he's far from a sure thing. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - GAME-TIME DECISION, BUT PRACTICED FRIDAY. ***
26. Alex Smith SF at SD
27. *Jake Delhomme CLE at CIN
Note: We're operating under the assumption that Colt McCoy can't go until told otherwise.Update: McCoy will return this week and health-permitting will start for the remainder of the season.
14. Donovan McNabb WAS at DAL***SUNDAY UPDATE - REX GROSSMAN STARTS. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SNARK IN THIS WORLD TO COMMENT. ***
28. * Matt Flynn GB at NE
Note: (Concussion) The Packers will take the high side of caution this week with Aaron Rodgers (concussion). If Rodgers plays, I'll adjust accordingly - but be aware it's the Sunday night game. You'll have little recourse if you leave him in there and then he can't go.Update: Rodgers hasn't practiced yet and probably won't practice Friday. It's looking increasingly grim. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - FLYNN WILL START. ***
19. *Kyle Orton DEN at OAK
Note: That's two huge duds in a row. The season is lost - might we see Tim Tebow this week? If so, it'll be in relief, as Orton will get the start.Update: Orton has missed practice this week with sore ribs. It's looking closer to a Tim Tebow start. ***SUNDAY UPDATE - TEBOW WILL START. ***
30. *Tarvaris Jackson MIN vs. CHI
Note: Brett Favre's streak finally ended, with a whimper. He doesn't have nerve damage in the shoulder and hasn't been put on IR, but I'd be surprised if he plays, now that the streak is over. Meanwhile, Jackson has a turf toe injury. We might see Joe Webb start this game.Update: Jackson goes to the IR, and Webb will probably start. Note that Webb qualifies as a WR in Yahoo leagues, at least for now. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - WEBB WILL START. ***
31. *John Skelton AZ at CAR
Note: Skelton will remain the starter this meek.
32. *Jimmy Clausen CAR vs. AZ
Note: Coach John Fox said that Clausen will get the start again.